Portugal vs England LIVE: Lionesses result and reaction to disappointing draw in Nations League
Portugal 1-1 England: The hosts dominated after half time and scored a deserved equaliser through the substitute Kika Nazareth
England's Nations League campaign got off to a frustrating start as they were held to a 1-1 draw in Portugal.
Following a bright start to their opening Group A3 match, Alessia Russo put the Lionesses in front after slotting home from Lucy Bronze's brilliant cross from the right flank.
A shift in momentum saw Portugal begin to threaten after the break and, following a spell of pressure, they earned an equaliser through substitute Kika Nazareth's stunning top corner finish.
England are back in Nations League action at Wembley on Wednesday where they face group leaders Spain, who needed a late goal to beat Belgium in their opening fixture.
Follow live updates from the Nations League opener in tonight’s live blog, below.
.jpeg?quality=75&width=230&auto=webp)
Portugal vs England
The teams are out and it’s time for the anthems! Not long now until kick-off in Portugal.
Grace Clinton goes for three in a row tonight
Grace Clinton has scored on her last two England appearances. If she scores tonight, the 21-year-old would become the youngest player on record to score in three games in a row, and the first England player to do so since Beth Mead during the Euros in July 2022.
Sarina Wiegman looks ahead to Portugal match
Sarina Wiegman is hoping for a competitive game against Portugal and for those players who are picked tonight to show what they can offer ahead of this summer’s Euros.
“Whether you’re young or whether you’re an experienced player, I want everyone to play at their best and when they play at their best and we’re connected, we’re going to play our best game,” Wiegman said.
“We approach it game-by-game and we want to get good results. Playing these games will give us more learnings too. We’re going in the right direction.
“What you see is we have many talented players and we’re really excited now that the new Nations League starts which is a good group too, starting against Portugal. I’m excited to see the ones who come on the pitch tomorrow to show who they are and what England is about.”
Portugal team news
Portugal have six players in their team with 100 or more caps - and feature the dangerous pair of Jessica Silva and Diana Silva in their attack.
Diana Silva has scored five goals across her last four appearances for Portugal, who went unbeaten in 2024 across all competitions. Their last defeat came against France in December 2023.
Portugal XI: Pereira, Gomes, Carole Costa, Borges, Amado, Marchao,Dolores Silva, Tatiana Pinto, Norton, Jessica Silva, Diana Silva
Subs: Morais, Rute Costa, Seica, Faria, Jacinto,Rute, Ribeiro, Mendes, Capeta, Nazareth, Alves, Dias
England's Nations League opponents
England’s last meeting with Portugal was a 0-0 draw in their send-off match before the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
In fact, they have recent history with all of their Nations League opponents. The arrival of world champions Spain to Wembley, in a rematch of that World Cup final, offers a reminder of what could have been in Sydney and a stern test against the best team in the world.
Belgium, the final team in Group 3, beat the Lionesses in the last Nations League, as they then felt the effects of a post-World Cup hangover.
Lucy Bronze discusses her Portugal connection: 'A team I always root for'
Lucy Bronze could have played for Portugal and says she “always roots” for England’s opponents when she is not directly facing them.
Bronze’s father is Portuguese and he met Bronze’s mother in Faro, not far from where England are playing this evening.
"I have always been in good contact with the Portuguese federation. They are a team I always root for,” Bronze said.
"I always hope for the best for them and I hope they do well in the Nations League - just not against us. My first ever kit was a Portugal kit.
"I spent all my holidays in this area and played most of my football here outside. It influenced me a lot. I'm just as proud to be Portuguese as I am to be English."
Lucy Bronze praises ‘incredibly brave’ Spain players after Luis Rubiales verdict
England defender Lucy Bronze has praised the Spain players involved in the Luis Rubiales case after the former president of the Spanish football federation was found guilty of kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
On Thursday, Rubiales was ordered to pay a fine worth more than 10,000 euros after a Madrid court returned its verdict, with the incident overshadowing Spain’s World Cup final celebrations after victory over England in 2023.
Speaking shortly before the verdict was reached, Bronze, who played with Hermoso and several other members of the Spain team that lifted the World Cup during her time with Barcelona, shared her support for what they had been through.
Lucy Bronze praises ‘incredibly brave’ Spain players after Luis Rubiales verdict
Lauren James returns as Wiegman names England's strongest team
An England appearance for Lauren James has been a long time coming. The Chelsea forward has missed England’s last eight games due to injury, a run that stretches back to a 2-0 win over Ireland in Dublin in April 2024.
Her Chelsea team-mate Niamh Charles also makes her first start since that international window. It means there are three changes in total from the side that started the 0-0 draw with the USA at the end of November, with Grace Clinton also coming in.
Sarina Wiegman then made wholesale changes for the friendly against Switzerland in England’s last fixture. This line-up is as close to Wiegman’s strongest team given her current options.
Grace Clinton starts as Lauren James returns
Grace Clinton replaces Georgia Stanway in midfield, while Lauren James and Niamh Charles return to the line-up.
Mary Earps starts in goal ahead of Hannah Hapton and left back Charles returns to join Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson and Millie Bright in the defence.
Clinton partners Keira Walsh in midfield, with Ella Toone selected as No 10.
Alessia Russo starts as striker and James makes her first England appearance this April last year, with Jess Park also named in the forward line.
England team to play Portugal
England XI: Earps; Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Charles; Clinton, Walsh; Park, Toone, James; Russo
Subs: Hampton, Moorhouse, Morgan, Le Tissier, Turner, Carter, Kelly, Naz, Beever-Jones, Parris, Mace, Blindkilde Brown
⏰ Team news time... pic.twitter.com/6JQoCu4y6e
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 21, 2025
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments